Controlled synthesis of Y₂O₃ nanoplates with improved performance

Y₂O₃ nanoplates composed of nanoparticles with both low-energy and high-energy facets exposed have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal approach and subsequent calcination treatment. The pH value of the reaction solution was observed to play a key role for the formation and even the size- and thickness-control of the nanoplate-like precursor. On calcination at 900 °C for 4 h, the precursors were decomposed into Y₂O₃ with well-maintained flake-like morphology. These Y₂O₃ nanoplates showed obviously improved catalytic CO oxidation activities than commercial and synthesized nanorod Y₂O₃. Under the UV excitation, flake-like Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphors exhibit strong red photoluminescence emissions, and nanoplates with the reaction temperature of 180 °C, reaction time of 36 h, as well as pH value of 7.4 showed the strongest photoluminescence intensity. This precursor-induced path provided not only a meaningful reference for dimension and size controlled synthesis, but also a potential way to achieve high-active facet exposed materials.